Staten Island BP Molinaro says his best may be yet to come

Advace file photoBorough President James Molinaro intends to seek another four years in Borough Hall.

Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro said another four years in office could be his most productive, after announcing today he would seek another term in Borough Hall.

"I always thought 12 years was the right number," Molinaro said in an interview today. "I know how to get things done better than I did when I first took office. These could be my most productive years, these next four years."

Molinaro, 77, a two-term incumbent, was slated to be term-limited out of office, but the City Council last fall passed Mayor Michael Bloomberg's bill extending the limits for city elected officials from two four-year terms to three.

A staunch Bloomberg ally, Molinaro lobbied in support of the mayor's efforts to overturn the law.

Molinaro is expected to seek an interview with the Republican Party to gain that endorsement, but has indicated he would also interview with the Democratic Party if invited. The borough president has established a good relationship with the Democrats in recent months, and endorsed Democrat Michael McMahon for Congress. He has run on the Republican line in the previous two borough presidential elections.

The BP is banking on loyalty to give the Island some leverage as the mayor seeks re-election this year, and a largesse of city funds if Bloomberg wins. It won't hurt that he also aligned himself with McMahon, the newest member of the House of Representatives' Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Molinaro will need all that help to finish some the projects he hopes will be a part of his legacy: Bringing more business to the New York Container Terminal in Mariners Harbor; redeveloping St. George and the home port in Stapleton; adding a second North Shore railroad; and making progress on the massive park planned at Fresh Kills.